What does a 504 plan do for a student?

Section 504 of the U.S. Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is designed to help parents of students with physical or mental impairments in public schools, or publicly funded private schools, work with educators to design customized educational plans. These 504 plans legally ensure that students will be treated fairly at school.

How long does a 504 plan last?

The law doesn’t require an annual 504 plan re-evaluation. It only requires “periodic re-evaluation,” which is generally every three years or so. If there are significant changes in your child’s needs or placement in school, then you may want to consider asking for a re-evaluation, in addition to a review.

Do colleges follow 504 plans?

The short answer is there are no IEPs or 504 plans in college. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the law that provides students with IEPs , no longer applies to them once they graduate from high school. However, they won’t get a 504 plan like they had in high school.

When would you use an IEP instead of a 504 plan?

IEP plans under IDEA cover students who qualify for Special Education. Section 504 covers students who don’t meet the criteria for special education but who still require some accommodations. Both ensure that students with disabilities have access to a free and appropriate public education.

What is a 504 Behavior Plan?

504 plans are formal plans that schools develop to give kids with disabilities the support they need. That covers any condition that limits daily activities in a major way. These plans prevent discrimination. And they protect the rights of kids with disabilities in school.

When to request a 504 plan for a child?

Parents can also request a 504 plan if they see a need or if a diagnosis or life event occurs that may impact their child’s learning abilities. School districts will often have a coordinator who handles both IEP and 504 plans. It’s also common for a team to be established to develop the plan.

Can a child be removed from school under Section 504?

Children under Section 504 are still expected to follow the district’s student code of conduct. However, when disciplining a child under Section 504, schools must consider the relationship between the disability and the misbehavior if the child is going to be removed from the regular setting for longer than 10 days.

Who are the coordinators for the 504 plan?

School districts will often have a coordinator who handles both IEP and 504 plans. It’s also common for a team to be established to develop the plan. This may include the student’s teacher, principal, or counselor, and parents are often encouraged to take part in the meetings.

Why is Section 504 important to public schools?

A parent’s guide to Section 504 in public schools. This important civil rights law can provide educational benefits to kids with learning disabilities and/or ADHD in public schools.

How can I get a 504 plan for my child?

If your child qualifies under Section 504, a school representative will help you and your child’s teacher compile a 504 Plan, or a written list of accommodations that must be followed at all times.

How old do you have to be to be covered under Section 504?

Who is covered under Section 504? To be covered under Section 504, a student must be “qualified ” (which roughly equates to being between 3 and 22 years of age, depending on the program, as well as state and federal law, and must have a disability) [34 C.F.R. §104.3 (k) (2)].

A parent’s guide to Section 504 in public schools. This important civil rights law can provide educational benefits to kids with learning disabilities and/or ADHD in public schools.

What does a 504 Plan do for a student?

The 504 Plan is a plan developed to ensure that a child who has a disability identified under the law and is attending an elementary or secondary educational institution receives accommodations that will ensure their academic success and access to the learning environment.

What does a 504 Plan cover?

504 plans are formal plans that schools develop to give kids with disabilities the support they need. That covers any condition that limits daily activities in a major way. And they protect the rights of kids with disabilities in school. They’re covered under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act .

Which is better a 504 Plan or an IEP?

A 504 Plan is a better option when the student is able to function well in a regular education environment with accommodations. The 504 is generally less restrictive than the IEP, and it is also less stigmatizing. An IEP is a better option for students with a disability that is adversely impacting education.

Do colleges look at 504 plans?

Colleges don’t know whether a student applicant has an IEP or a 504 plan . They will only know if the student shares this information. In fact, colleges aren’t allowed to ask students who apply whether they have a disability. High schools won’t forward IEPs or 504 plans to colleges, either.

What are the cons of a 504 plan?

Pitfall #1: Not exploring what’s possible with a 504 plan.

Pitfall #2: Being passive about participation.

Pitfall #3: Accepting the school’s “standard” 504 plan for students with your child’s issue.

Pitfall #4: Assuming the school is implementing your child’s 504 plan.

Will 504 hurt my child for college?

There is no legislation at the postsecondary level that entitles you to the same level of academic support that you receive in high school. This means that if you have an IEP, Section 504 Plan, or any accommodations or modifications, they will not necessarily transfer into the college setting.

What percentage of students have a 504?

Nationally, around 2.3 percent of students have 504 plans.

How many kids have a 504?

Nationally, around 2.3 percent of students have 504 plans. That percentage has been rising since 2009, when Congress expanded who qualifies for the plans.

What do you need to know about a 504 plan?

A 504 plan spells out the modifications and accommodations that will be needed to make it possible for your child to succeed in a general education program. 1 If you wonder what a 504 plan should look like and what might be included for specific disabilities, see examples and templates.

What does it mean to make accommodations in Section 504?

Where Section 504 is concerned, accommodations are made to bring a student with a disability to the same starting point as a non-disabled student. Consequently, the accommodations defined in a Section 504 plan are those interventions that are not typically available to all students.

What is the difference between an IEP and a 504 plan?

IEP Defined. The Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) is a plan or program developed to ensure that a child who has a disability identified under the law and is attending an elementary or secondary educational institution receives specialized instruction and related services.

What is Section 504 of the Education Act?

Page 2 Parent and Educator Resource Guide to Section 504 Introduction . Section 504 is a Federal law that prohibits disability discrimination by recipients of Federal financial assistance. 2 All public schools and school districts, as well as all public charter schools